Data Protection Officer

Mid Sussex District Council; Haywards Heath; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Pension

Hybrid Working

Learning & Development

Job summary

Mid Sussex District Council is seeking a knowledgeable Data Protection Officer to lead the Council’s approach to data protection, information governance and compliance with UK GDPR and related legislation. You will provide clear, practical and proportionate advice across the organisation, helping services handle personal information lawfully, transparently and securely.

You will work with Legal, ICT and Customer Services to embed a proactive, risk-aware culture while meeting statutory

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
• Experience advising services on data protection and information rights
• Ability to interpret legislation and translate into practical advice

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on data protection and information governance
• Support responses to Subject Access Requests and information rights requests
• Monitor compliance, maintain records and support audits and assurance activities
• Advise on DPIAs, data sharing, retention, breaches and risk management
• Develop policies, guidance and training for information governance across the Council
• Embed proactive, risk-aware, customer-focused approach to data protection across services

Skills

UK GDPR

Information governance

Data protection

Audit support

Policy development

Job description

Data Protection Officer - Mid Sussex District Council

Location: Haywards Heath, West Sussex

About the Role

Mid Sussex District Council is seeking a knowledgeable and confident Data Protection Officer to lead and support the Council’s approach to data protection, information governance and compliance with UK GDPR and related legislation.

As Data Protection Officer, you will provide clear, practical and proportionate advice across the organisation, helping services handle personal information lawfully, transparently and securely.

Your key responsibilities will include activities within:

• Providing expert advice on UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and information governance requirements
• Overseeing and supporting the Council’s response to Subject Access Requests and other information rights requests
• Monitoring compliance, maintaining appropriate records and supporting audit trails and assurance activity
• Advising on data protection impact assessments, data sharing, retention, breaches and risk management
• Developing policies, guidance and training to promote good information governance across the Council
• Working with services and senior managers to embed a proactive, risk-aware and customer-focused approach to data protection

You will work closely with colleagues across Legal, Governance, ICT, Customer Services and operational teams, supporting the Council to meet its statutory obligations while enabling effective and responsible use of information.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and practical information governance requirements
• Experience of advising services on data protection, information rights, privacy risk and compliance matters
• The ability to interpret legislation and translate complex requirements into clear, practical advice for a range of audiences
• Personal attributes including integrity, sound judgement, attention to detail, resilience, collaboration and the confidence to provide constructive challenge

Why Join Us?

Working for Mid Sussex District Council offers a range of benefits, including:

• Generous Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our excellent pension plan.
• Hybrid Working: Enjoy the flexibility of working both remotely and in the office.
• Commitment to Learning and Development: We are dedicated to your professional growth and offer numerous opportunities for training and development.

If you are a motivated information governance professional who wants to make a meaningful contribution to public service, we would love to hear from you.